Boston COVID-19 Update – June 11, 2020

COVID-19 CASES

The City of Boston has 13,041 positive cases of coronavirus (confirmed and presumptive). So far, 7,817 of these 13,041 residents have fully recovered. Unfortunately, there have been 669 COVID-19 related deaths in Boston. 

The City posts race and ethnicity data for deaths, as well as for confirmed cases here.

The Boston Public Health Commission will be providing the updated total of cases in Boston residents as it is received from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Information can be found at boston.gov/coronavirus or bphc.org.

Massachusetts has 103,889 positive cases of coronavirus (confirmed and presumptive) and 7,408 deaths reported at this time. Massachusetts has also tested 658,058 individuals to date. 

The City of Boston has two dashboards to provide statistics on COVID-19 cases in Boston and throughout Massachusetts. View them here.

The City of Boston has a free texting service to provide daily updates and information about the coronavirus. Text BOSCOVID to 888-777 to opt-in for English. Language and communications access remains a priority for Mayor Walsh, so this text service which was available in Spanish, Haitan Creole, French, Cabo Verdean Creole, and Portuguese, now includes Somali, Chinese, Arabic, Vietnamese and Russian.

• Text BOSEspanol to 888-777 for Spanish

• Text BOSKreyol to 888-777 for Haitian Kreyol

• Text BOSFrancais to 888-777 for French

• Text BOSKriolu to 888-777 for Cabo Verdean Creole

• Text BOSPortugues to 888-777 for Portuguese

• Text BOSSoomali to 888-777 for Somali

• Text BOSChi to 888-777 for Simplified Chinese

• Text BOSbilAraby to 888-777 for Arabic

• Text BOSViet to 888-777 for Vietnamese

• Text BOSRus to 888-777 for Russian

Updates in 10 total languages can additionally be accessed through boston.gov/coronavirus#multilingual-help. Each language has its own page and hosts multilingual print materials distributed citywide. 

 TESTING UPDATE

• The City’s overall test rate has decreased to 21.4%, and the week ending June 6 was 5.3%. To keep these numbers down, we have to keep taking precautions to slow the spread of the virus, and make testing easily and equitably available.
• This week, the City is offering testing to people who have been at demonstrations, making their voices heard. Through a partnership with the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, we created a pop-up testing site in Roxbury.
  • The site is available by walk-up, and it’s open to anyone, symptomatic or not.
  • There is no special screening or requirements, but we are reaching out to organizers of demonstrations to help spread the word. This is a resource available to the community that has been active.
  • We know the risk of COVID is just one of the viruses affecting our community—and as people lift their voices to fight racism and injustice, we want to help keep them safe.

PHASE 2 IN BOSTON

• Phase 2 of the state reopening plan began on Monday. Most businesses are now able to begin reopening, with capacity restrictions and safety restrictions. 

• In Boston, we are opening playgrounds and splash pads this coming Monday, June 15, with new safety signage. Athletic fields and tennis courts are now open for no-contact activities. But team sports and group events are still prohibited.  

• Boston Centers for Youth and Families are planning safe summer programs for ages 6-18 starting in July. The City will be announcing more details and more departments in the days to come.

• Reopening does not mean the risk of COVID-19 is gone. A cautious reopening means managing risk at all times. Everyone needs to be involved in that work—in their own decisions and their workplace. 

  • For individuals: that includes wearing face coverings and practicing social distancing outside your home.

  • For stores; for restaurants; for hotels; and for every business and organization: it means meeting state requirements and protocols; and consulting the additional guidelines we will continue to publish at boston.gov/reopening.

  • When in doubt, businesses should take the more cautious approach and go at the pace that is right for them and their employees. They should communicate with their workers clearly and often and include them in their planning, and reach out to the City for advice if they are uncertain.

• The State has 3 levels of safety guidance for Phase 2.

  • General social guidelines. 

  • Mandatory workplace safety guidelines. 

  • Sector specific safety protocols. 

    • Today the State released guidance for close-contact personal services and for a miscellaneous category that includes businesses with unique conditions.

      • Guidance for close Contact Personal Services

      • Guidance for sectors Not Otherwise Addressed

  • Before opening, any business or facility must meet all safety standards, create a safety plan that meets the sector protocols, and self-certify that they have done so. See all the protocols at mass.gov/reopening.

NOTE: Workers in any size organization have options if they feel they are being pressured into an unsafe situation. They include an online form at the Attorney General’s website and a dedicated Fair Labor hotline at 617-727-3465. People can also find those resources by calling 311. 

OUTDOOR DINING FOR RESTAURANTS

• In Phase 2, restaurants are allowed to open, but only for outdoor dining. The City has been working across multiple departments to make it a successful reality for restaurants, as they continue to recover from this crisis.

• The City created an expedited approval process for temporary expansions onto public and private space; waived licensing fees for outdoor dining; and reached out directly to restaurants across neighborhoods and cultures. We have an equitable, citywide plan underway.

• So far, the City has gotten more than 480 applications from across the City, from small restaurants and coffee shops in neighborhoods, to restaurants downtown.

  • More than 200 of those have been fully or conditionally approved, and approvals continue on a rolling basis every day. 

• If a restaurant has applied and received approval, they can begin outdoor service on their property, or in available public parking spaces outside your establishment, immediately. Those outdoor spaces can remain open until 10 p.m. on weeknights and 11 p.m. on weekends.

• Outdoor Dining in the North End

  • The City is treating the North End separately, due to the density of restaurants and the opportunity to create shared space for clusters of restaurants. Outdoor dining in the North End will be ready to begin on Thursday, June 11.  

  • The City will publish a web page with all the approvals listed: so residents can check on specific locations and let the City know how things are going, so we can work out solutions in real time. The City is committed to working with everyone who is impacted, and making sure outdoor dining is good for Boston.

SUMMER JOBS PROGRAM

• The Mayor’s Youth Summer Jobs Program will continue this year, and will be bolstered by an additional $4.1 million in funding to support 8,000 youth ages 14-21 in obtaining summer jobs and engagement opportunities this summer. 

• As the COVID-19 public health crisis remains, this year’s programming has been adapted to meet the current and anticipated public health guidelines. 

• Due to the impact of COVID-19 on many private businesses, which has impacted their ability to host a youth summer job program, Mayor Walsh has committed to bolstering investments in the program by investing an additional $4.1 million, making the total funding for Youth Engagement and Employment $11.9 million. 

  • This additional funding comes at a time when other large cities have scaled back their summer jobs program, and will allow the City of Boston to have a more robust jobs program within city departments, expanding to new opportunities that previously had not been part of the program. As part of hiring and onboarding 8,000 youth in summer jobs, the City of Boston will coordinate personal protective equipment for all youth workers. 

• In recognizing the need to engage youth in new ways this year amid COVID-19, the City of Boston has developed four tracks of opportunities for youth this year, including: 

• Track 1: Boston’s Blue Shirt Program — 500 youth interested in working outside on beautification projects at various locations managed by Parks and Public Works.

• Track 2: Peer to Peer COVID-19 Campaign — 400 youth interested in graphic design, teamwork and public service to build an awareness campaign on COVID-19 safety and Census outreach.

• Track 3: Virtual Options — 300 youth interested in remote work with virtual courses to help students learn various work skills

• Track 4: Career and Post-Secondary Education Credential — Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology, Urban College of Boston and Roxbury Community College have offered credit bearing courses to 450 youth focusing on tech, business, and human services pathways.

NEIGHBORHOOD JOBS TRUST FUNDING

• This week, the City, through the Office of Workforce Development, is dedicating $2.4 million to job training and emergency financial support for low-income workers and college students hurt by this crisis through The Neighborhood Jobs Trust. The Trust supports affordable housing and job training using linkage fees from development. 

  • This new funding will support remote learning help for English language learners and re-training for hospitality and restaurant workers who lost jobs due to the pandemic. 

BOSTON REOPEN FUND UPDATE

The Mayor announced that the first grants from the Reopen Boston Fund, which provides grants for PPE and safety materials, will be going out this Friday, June 12.

LATEST ROUND OF BOSTON RESILIENCY FUND

This week, the Boston Resiliency Fund is distributing another $825,000 to 21 organizations. These organizations are helping vulnerable Bostonians impacted by the COVID crisis—including families and seniors who need food, young people of color who are at risk, and residents returning from incarceration.

So far, the Fund has raised $32 million and has distributed over $20 million to those in need. 

PUBLIC SPACE INVITATIONAL 2020 ANNOUNCEMENT

For the 2020 Public Space Invitational, the Mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics and The Trustees are partnering with six teams of artists to bring a slice of the city’s green spaces to homes in Boston. The artists will customize a set of window boxes, pots, and birdhouses with original artwork. The pieces will then be distributed to 90 residents and families with a variety of seasonal plants (flowers, herbs, or vegetables).

Recipients of the customized pieces will be chosen via a lottery process. Residents of Boston who are interested in receiving a customized window box, pot, or birdhouse can request one using the following application form:

https://forms.gle/59fWzJ3U1hTYLYZa7 (kriolu / Cape Verdean Creole)

https://forms.gle/FJ84vPJBM7wArVLb6 (简体中文 / Simplified Chinese)

https://forms.gle/1tciam5mxD5cjpbz5 (English)

https://forms.gle/idf1Dakg2dDGvLaT8 (Kreyòl ayisyen / Haitian Creole)

https://forms.gle/5DznPqZG2YzkQC7g8 (Português / Brazilian Portuguese)

https://forms.gle/CAhp4341KH4xQjKf8 (Español / Spanish)

https://forms.gle/hFx5RJMwJMRJPrZx7 (Tiếng Việt / Vietnamese)

FIREWORKS WARNING

• While there have always been some illegal fireworks leading up to the Fourth of July, this year’s it’s worse than usual.

  • Fireworks calls to the Boston Police Department were up by a factor of 2,300% this May, compared to last May. There were 27 calls last year, and over 650 this year so far. 

• This is a serious issue and a fire hazard, and causes alarm and fear in the neighborhoods. For example, when police responded to a report of gunshots in Mattapan it turned out to be fireworks. 

• If you hear or see fireworks being displayed in your neighborhood, please call 911. You can also anonymously report the illegal purchasing or selling of fireworks to the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1(800) 494-TIPS or by texting the word ‘TIP’ to CRIME (27463). For their safety, neighborhood liaisons will not be responding to these complaints. 

GENERAL REMINDERS

• • Apply to the Rental Relief Fund. The deadline to complete the initial pre-screening application is Friday, June 19, and applications will be available in seven languages on boston.gov/rentalrelief. A person’s immigration status is not asked during the Rental Relief Fund application process and receiving funds does not impact other financial assistance that a person may be already receiving. 

• Fill out the 2020 Census. The Census informs how billions of dollars in federal funds will be allocated by state, local and federal lawmakers annually for the next 10 years. It’s more critical than ever to ensure that all Bostonians are counted. 

• • Enter the Mayor’s Garden Contest.

  • When going outside, wear a face covering, practice physical distancing from others (6 feet apart), and avoid mass  gatherings.

• Anyone experiencing a medical emergency should call 911. 

• Observe the recommended curfew for everyone in Boston except for essential workers to stay at home from 9 pm to 6 am daily. 

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol; avoid shaking hands

• Cover your coughs and sneezes; clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces; and avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• If you think you might be sick, please call your doctor or 311 to be connected to the Mayor’s Health Line 617-534-5050. Buoy Health has created a free online diagnostic tool which screens for COVID-19 at buoy.com/mass.

• Donate supplies to first responders here.

• Donate to the City of Boston Resiliency Fund here.

• Volunteer with the City of Boston here. 

• Fresh Truck Open Air Markets schedule.

• City Hall is open to the public on Tuesdays and Fridays, 9 am – 5 pm. Learn more about the status of city departments and hours of operation here. 

• Tell the Parks Department where you would like to see more open space in our neighborhood here. 

STAY INFORMED

Receive the latest COVID-19 info from reliable sources. Visit: bphc.org/coronavirus; boston.gov/coronavirus; mass.gov/2019coronavirus. Call: 311 or 211.